Bottled liquid dispensers

ABSTRACT

A water cooler has a vertically elongate housing  1  with a dispensing recess  8  and a vertically elongate opening  10  located below the dispensing recess to receive a bottle of water  11 . The bottle is supported on a fixed platform  18  which projects forward beyond the sides  15  and  16  of the opening for ease of loading. Liquid is removed from the bottle through an inclined dip tube which is raised and lowered by a lead screw and follower. The dip tube may be inserted through a probe which operates a bottle opening mechanism.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing liquids such asdrinking water supplied from a bottle.

BACKGROUND

The majority of existing bottled liquid dispensers have a verticallyelongate housing which contains a reservoir from which the liquid can bedispensed through a discharge outlet. An example of such a dispenser isdescribed in EP 0 581 491 A. The housing is normally substantiallyrectangular in plan view and its top face is formed with a seating tosupport the bottle in an inverted position with its neck downwards.Thus, liquid may flow from the bottle into the reservoir under gravity.Since the bottle is highly visible to users they are reassured that theliquid is coming from a known, uncontaminated source, but thisarrangement also has significant disadvantages.

Full bottles are very heavy. They are difficult to carry and lift ontothe dispenser, especially by people of small physical stature, makingthe task of changing bottles a daunting one for many people and evenpresenting the risk of serious back injury.

It has been proposed to load the bottle into the lower part of arectangular housing and pump the liquid into the reservoir, as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,621, U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,747, U.S. Pat. No.5,540,355, U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,096 and GB 2 268925 A for example. However, the bottles still remain very difficult tohandle, as demonstrated by the necessity to include a cart or trolleyfor use in loading the bottle into the dispenser. EP 1 022 251 A1further proposes a water dispenser in which the water is dispensed froma post with the bottle supported on a base plate, but there is nohousing to protect the bottle and there is a high risk of contaminationof the dip tube when the bottle is replaced.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form ofbottled liquid dispenser which eases the task of loading and handlingthe bottles whilst ensuring that good hygiene is maintained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bottled liquid dispenser having:

-   -   a vertically elongate housing with a back, opposite sides and a        front, the front of the housing having a dispensing recess and a        bottle opening located below the dispensing recess to receive a        bottle of liquid;    -   a reservoir contained within the housing;    -   at least one discharge outlet located at the top of the        dispensing recess through which liquid is dispensed from the        reservoir;    -   the bottle opening having a bottom forming a bottle-support        platform, a top, and a pair of sides formed by said opposite        sides of the housing; and    -   a dip tube for insertion into a bottle within the opening, said        dip tube being in fluid communication with the reservoir,        -   in which the front margin of the bottle-support platform is            substantially part-circular and projects beyond the side            margins of the bottle opening in a forward direction.

The invention also provides a bottled liquid dispenser having:

-   -   a dip tube for insertion Into a bottle;    -   a lead screw arranged to move a follower nut which is coupled to        the dip tube to move the dip tube into and out of the bottle;    -   a motor for rotating the lead screw;    -   a reservoir in fluid communication with the dip tube to receive        liquid from the bottle;    -   a pump arranged to cause movement of liquid from the bottle via        the dip tube to the reservoir; and    -   at least one discharge outlet through which liquid is dispensed        from the reservoir.

The invention further provides a bottled liquid dispenser having:

-   -   a hollow probe for insertion into a bottle;    -   means for moving the probe in and out of the bottle;    -   a dip tube for insertion into a bottle, the dip tube being        arranged to pass through the probe into the bottle;    -   means for moving the dip tube into and out of the bottle;    -   a reservoir in fluid communication with the dip tube to receive        liquid from the bottle;    -   a pump arranged to cause movement of liquid from the bottle via        the dip tube to the reservoir; and    -   at least one discharge outlet through which liquid is dispensed        from the reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred totherein are included by way of non-limiting example in order toillustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a general view of a bottled liquid dispenser in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser, loaded with a bottle;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispenser, loaded with a bottle;

FIG. 4 is a general view of a dip tube drive mechanism for use in thedispenser;

FIG. 5 is a general view of a bottle opening mechanism which allows thedispenser to be used with self-sealing bottles;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are rear views of the bottle opening mechanism, showingthe bottle opening probe in raised and lowered positions respectively;

FIG. 8 is a general view of an alternative form of door for thedispenser; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams showing two alternativearrangements for the internal components of the dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the illustrated form of bottled liquiddispenser, which is often referred to as a water cooler, has avertically-elongate housing 1. The housing has a rear panel 2 which issubstantially planar or slightly convex in plan view, and a pair of sidepanels 3 and 4 which are slightly convex in plan view and convergeslightly in a forward direction where they join a substantiallyhemi-cylindrical front wall 5. The housing has a top 6 which may beaesthetically contoured as shown or substantially flat to act as a shelffor beverage-making items, marketing displays etc.

At the top of the front wall 5 there is a dispensing recess 8 withinwhich hot and/or cold water may be dispensed into a cup or similarcontainer by pressing one or more operating buttons 9 a/b positionedimmediately above the recess. Beneath the dispensing recess 8 the frontwall contains an opening 10 for receiving a bottle of water 11, shownonly in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the illustrated embodiment the height of theopening 10 is substantially twice its maximum transverse width. The topand bottom margins of the opening 10 are both substantiallysemi-circular, defined by upper and lower sections 13 and 14 of thefront wall 5. The opposing side margins 15 and 16 of the display openingare substantially vertical and parallel, defined by the foremost edgesof the curved side panels 3 and 4. The bottom of the opening 10 isformed by a fixed platform 18 with a substantially semi-circular frontmargin joined to the lower section 14 of the front wall 5. The rear wall20 of the opening may be of any convenient shape, e.g. substantiallyplanar, concave or hemi-cylindrical, provided it permits the bottle 11to sit on the platform 18 without projecting beyond the front wall 5.Above the opening 10 and within the housing 1 there is a bottleconnector assembly 21 (FIG. 2) which can be retracted for changing thebottle, described in greater detail below.

The front of the display opening 10 may be open as shown in FIGS. 2 and3. Alternatively however, the opening may be provided with asubstantially hemi-cylindrical transparent or opaque door 22, shown InFIG. 1, which may be hinged to one of the side margins 15 or 16. Thedoor may simply enclose the top of the opening in order to protect thebottle connector assembly 21, or it may enclose the whole opening toprovide a temperature-controlled environment around the bottle.

To load the bottle into the dispenser the bottle is lifted by means ofits neck and partly placed onto the projecting platform 18. The bottleis then slid rearwardly into the centre of the platform. This can beachieved very rapidly and with little physical effort since placing thebottle onto a projecting platform, open at both sides, is considerablyeasier than trying to manoeuvre it through a rectangular opening.

The bottle connector assembly 21 includes a dip tube drive system 50which is shown in detail in FIG. 4. A lead screw 51 is rotatably mountedbetween brackets 52 and 53 secured to a frame 54 which holds the screwat an angle of about 10° to vertical. A screw follower nut 55 isreceived on the screw to releasably hold a dip tube 29, formed of asemi-rigid material, which is suitably guided for movement parallel tothe screw. One end of the screw is fixed with a wheel 56 which isengaged by a worm 57 driven by a motor 58 such that the screw rotates toraise and lower the dip tube 29 in direction A, thereby moving the diptube into and out of the bottle as required. The range of movement maybe determined by engagement of the screw follower 54 with upper andlower limit switch sensors 60 and 61 which signal the motor to shut off.

The use of a lead screw and follower allows very accurate positioningand control of the dip tube avoiding lost motion effects. Theinclination of the dip tube locates the intake at the side of the bottleto ensure that the bottle is completely emptied of liquid and alsoplaces the drive system in a more convenient position within thehousing.

In some countries such as the USA water bottles are supplied with asimple tear-off seal which Is removed prior to loading the bottleallowing the dip tube to pass freely into the bottle. In some areashowever, notably Europe, bottles are provided with a self-sealing capwhich must first be physically opened to permit entry of a dip tube. Thebottle connector assembly 21 may thus include a bottle opening mechanism64, shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, which enables the cooler to be used with suchbottles. A mounting plate assembly 65 is fixed in the cooler. Avertically mounted bottle opening probe 66 has a lead screw 67 at itsupper end, which is axially guided in the mounting assembly 65. A wheel68 is secured to a nut 69 which, in turn, is threaded onto the leadscrew 67, and a reversible motor 70 rotates the wheel 68 by means of aworm drive 71. The wheel thus moves the screw 67 in an axial directionto move the probe between a raised portion, shown in FIG. 6, and alowered position, inserted into the bottle, as in FIG. 7.

The bottle is provided with a self-sealing cap 72 of the kind having aremovable internal plug as described in WO 90 03 919. The leading end ofthe probe 66 is formed with a head 73 which is shaped to open the cap byremoving the internal plug and then replace it to re-seal the bottlewhen the probe is removed. As shown in FIG. 6, the probe 66 is providedwith an axial slot 74, extending between opposite sides of the probe,through which the dip tube 29 may be angularly inserted when the probeis inside the bottle, as shown in FIG. 5.

The force required to withdraw the probe may be sufficient to lift anempty bottle, so the bottle opening mechanism 64 includes a clamp plate76 to exert a downward pressure on the bottle cap while the probe isbeing withdrawn. The clamp plate has a central aperture 77 to receivethe probe 66, and first toggle arms 78 and 79 are pivotally secured toopposite ends of the plate. The opposite ends of these toggle arms arepivotally secured to respective second toggle arms 80 and 81, which arein turn pivotally secured to the mounting plate assembly 65 on oppositesides of the lead screw 67. The toggle arms are also connected to aprojecting flange 83 secured to the upper end of the probe 66 by meansof a pair of link members 84 and 85 which are pivotally connectedbetween opposite sides of the flange and the respective pair of togglearms 78, 80 and 79, 81. When the probe is raised as in FIG. 6, the linkmembers 84 and 85 pull the toggle arms inwards towards an angularposition, lifting the clamp plate clear of the bottle, as shown.Lowering of the probe progressively moves the arms outward towards theposition shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 which in turn lowers the clamp plate 76Into clamping contact with the cap 72. Towards the end of the downwardmovement the toggle arms move over-centre to maintain downward pressureon the cap whilst relieving the probe of significant axial force.Angular stops 86 may be provided on the outer ends of the link arms toengage the toggle arms, as shown. During the first part of withdrawal ofthe probe 66 when the cap is being re-plugged, the bottle remains firmlyheld until the link members have moved sufficiently to reverse theover-centre movement of the toggle arms. The probe can then be freelywithdrawn with the clamp plate raised.

Smooth operation may be ensured by guide rods 87 which project upwardlyfrom the clamp plate 76, slidably inserted through the flange 83 andmounting assembly 65. Limit sensors such as 88 are provided to controlthe motor 70.

Movement of the probe 66 is coordinated with movement of the dip tube 29so that the dip tube is withdrawn before the probe starts to be removed.Similarly, the dip tube is only inserted when the probe is lowered andthe bottle is clamped.

Since positioning of the bottle opening probe 66 Is less critical thanthat of the dip tube other means of moving the probe could be used suchas a rack and pinion.

Instead of providing a hinged door as described above the bottle opening10 may be provided with a parti-cylindrical sliding door 90, as shown inFIG. 8. The door can be slid up to cover the dispensing recess 8,discouraging attempts to use the cooler with the door open. The opposingvertical side margins 91 and 92 of the door are provided with rollers 93which run in guide channels 94 secured to an internal chassis 95 withinthe housing 1. To assist raising of the door the weight of the door maybe counter-balanced by constant tension springs 96 at the top of thechannels 94, linked to the door by cords, cables or similar flexibleelements 97. A limit switch 98 may be provided to sense when the door israised and automatically operate the bottle opening mechanism 64 (ifprovided) and the drive system 50 to free the bottle.

The internal components within the water cooler may be as shown in FIGS.9 and 10. A centrifugal pump 28 removes liquid from the lower part ofbottle 11 by means of the dip tube 29 to which it is connected by alength of flexible tubing 100. The pump supplies a chiller reservoir 30provided with a cooling system 31. When a control valve 33 is opened byoperation of button 9 a the positive pressure provided by the pump 28causes cooled water to leave the reservoir through a draw tube 32, andafter passing through the control valve 33 the cooled water is dispensedthrough a discharge outlet 34 at the top of the recess 8. A hot tank 36provided with a heating element may receive water from the pump andsimilarly dispense hot water through a further control valve 39 operatedby second button 9 b. The hot tank may be omitted to dispense water atambient temperature if desired. Other known features can be includedsuch as carbonation or oxygenation of the dispensed water, addition offruit flavourings etc.

The use of an inexpensive pump which is not self priming is facilitatedin FIG. 9 by the provision of an accumulator 101 between the pump andthe reservoir. The accumulator may be a small elastic bladder orspring-loaded bellows for example. A non-return valve 103 preventsback-syphoning from the reservoir. The electrical current drawn by thepump may be sensed so that the pump is shut off as soon as air entersthe pump. The lower end of the dip tube 29 may be provided with aspring-loaded plunger valve which is normally opened upon contact withthe bottom of the bottle. Raising the dip tube causes the valve to closeand ensures that there is no back-flow into the bottle. When the bottleis replaced the dip tube is lowered into the bottle causing the valve tore-open, and the accumulator then supplies a back-flow of liquid tore-prime the pump.

The arrangement of FIG. 10 also allows non-self-priming pumps to beused. A float switch 102 connected between the dip tube 29 and the pump28 detects when air enters the system and shuts off the pump before itruns dry. The back pressure in the reservoir ensures that the pumpremains primed to commence pumping from a new bottle, but a non-returnvalve 110 prevents back-flow into the bottle. A bypass 105 provided witha flow restrictor 106 may be connected from the output of the pump backto the dip tube to prevent over-pressure within the system.

Apart from the advantages discussed above there are other advantages tothe system described. The water cooler has a low central of gravitycompared with conventional coolers and there is no risk of leakagesaround the neck of the bottle. Replacement of the bottle can be achievedwithout risk of hand contact with the components of the bottle connector21.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be presentin any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasison those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protectionis claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosedherein.

1. A bottled liquid dispenser having: a vertically elongate housing witha back, opposite sides and a front, the front of the housing having adispensing recess and a bottle opening located below the dispensingrecess to receive a bottle of liquid; a reservoir contained within thehousing; at least one discharge outlet located at the top of thedispensing recess through which liquid is dispensed from the reservoir;the bottle opening having a bottom forming a bottle-support platform, atop, and a pair of sides formed by said opposite sides of the housing;and a dip tube for insertion into a bottle within the opening, said diptube being in fluid communication with the reservoir; in which the frontmargin of the bottle-support platform is substantially part-circular andprojects beyond the side margins of the bottle opening in a forwarddirection.
 2. A bottled liquid dispenser according to claim 1, in whichthe front margin of the bottle-support platform is substantiallysemi-circular.
 3. A bottled liquid dispenser according to claim 1, inwhich the bottle-support platform is fixed relative to the housing.
 4. Abottled liquid dispenser according to claim 1, in which the top of thebottle opening has a part-circular front margin which projets beyond theside margins of the bottle opening in a forward direction.
 5. A bottledliquid dispenser according to claim 1, in which the distance between thetop of the bottle opening and the bottle-support platform issubstantially twice the distance between the sides of the bottleopening.
 6. A bottled liquid dispenser according to claim 1, whichincludes a lead screw arranged to move a follower nut which is coupledto the dip tube to move the dip tube into and out of the bottle, and amotor for rotating the lead screw.
 7. A bottled liquid dispenseraccording to claim 6, in which the dip tube is inclined relative to avertical axis.
 8. A bottled liquid dispenser according to claim 1, inwhich the bottle opening has a door of substantially hemi-cylindricalshape.
 9. A bottled liquid dispenser according to claim 8, in which thedoor is arranged to slide over the dispensing recess.
 10. A bottledliquid dispenser according to claim 8, in which movement of the doorcauses the dip tube to move into the bottle when the door is lowered andmove out of the bottle when the door is raised.
 11. A bottled liquiddispenser according to claim 1, which includes a hollow probe forinsertion into the bottle and means for moving the probe in and out ofthe bottle, the dip tube being arranged to pass through the probe intothe bottle.
 12. A bottled liquid dispenser according to claim 11, inwhich the dip tube is angularly disposed relative to the probe andpasses through the side of the probe. 13-20. (Cancelled)
 21. A bottledliquid dispenser according to claim 1, in which a pump is connectedbetween the dip tube arid the reservoir.
 22. A bottled liquid dispenseraccording to claim 21, in which a liquid accumulator is connectedbetween the pump and the reservoir.
 23. A bottled liquid dispenseraccording to claim 21, including sensing means for stopping the pumpwhen air is present in the liquid path between the dip tube and thepump. 24-28. (Cancelled)
 29. A bottled liquid dispenser having: a hollowprobe for insertion into a bottle; means for moving the probe in and outof the bottle; a dip tube for insertion into a bottle, the dip tubebeing arranged to pass through the probe into the bottle; means formoving the dip tube into and out of the bottle; a reservoir in fluidcommunication with the dip tube to receive liquid from the bottle: apump arranged to cause movement of liquid from the bottle via the diptube to the reservoir; and at least one discharge outlet through whichliquid is dispensed from the reservoir.
 30. A bottled liquid dispenseraccording to claim 29, in which the dip tube is angularly disposedrelative to the probe and passes through the side of the probe. 31.-38.(Cancelled)